An experiment to prove that organic compounds were the basis of life, was performed by

Options

A. Von Helmont
B. Opann
C. S. Miller
D. Fox

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Scientists**: The experiment that demonstrated organic compounds as the basis of life was conducted by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey in 1953.

2. **Understand the Experiment Setup**: They designed an experiment that simulated the conditions of the early Earth. They used a closed system where they included gases that were believed to be present in the Earth's primitive atmosphere.

3. **Select the Gases**: The gases used in the experiment were methane (CH₄), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen (H₂), and water vapor (H₂O).

4. **Introduce Energy**: To stimulate the conditions of early Earth, they applied continuous electric sparks to the mixture. This was meant to simulate lightning, which could have provided the energy necessary for chemical reactions.

5. **Chemical Reactions Occur**: The electric current caused chemical reactions among the gases, leading to the formation of various organic compounds.

6. **Formation of Organic Compounds**: Among the products of these reactions were amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins and essential for life.

7. **Conclusion**: The results of the experiment provided evidence that organic compounds could form under prebiotic conditions, supporting the idea that organic molecules were the basis of life.

**Final Answer**: The experiment to prove that organic compounds were the basis of life was performed by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey in 1953.

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